title: Functional anatomy of cavernous helicine arterioles in potent subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated the morphological and functional features of cavernous helicine arterioles in male potent subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten young men reporting normal rigid erections which were confirmed by polysomnographic recording underwent power Doppler sonography of the cavernous helicine arterioles during flaccidity, after intracavernous injection of alprostadil, and after subsequent genital and audiovisual sexual stimulation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During flaccidity the helicine arterioles were never detected by power Doppler imaging while they became evident in all cases after alprostadil injection. They usually originated from the cavernous artery forming an acute angle and showed 3 orders of ramifications. Systolic and diastolic flow was present. After genital and audiovisual sexual stimulation, and achievement of maximum rigidity, the helicine arterioles were still evident but with only 1 or 2 orders of distal ramifications. Only systolic flow was present. During penile tumescence the helicine arterioles disappeared in all cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Using power Doppler sonography it is possible to investigate the functional anatomy of the cavernous helicine arterioles during the various phases of the erectile cycle. Our preliminary study suggests that the helicine arterioles are functionally inactive during penile flaccidity while they are activated during penile tumescence and continue to supply blood to the corpora also during maximum penile rigidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Andrology, University of Milan School of Medicine, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montorsi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarteschi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maga
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guazzoni
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fabris
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rigatti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pizzini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology; D001160:Arterioles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000527:Alprostadil